Honeywell Technologies Announces Leadership Changes for Process Technology and Building Automation
Time:2026-08-31 Browse: 1
August 31, 2026
Honeywell Technologies has announced new leadership appointments for its Process Technology and Building Automation businesses, with the changes scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Billal Hammoud has been appointed President and CEO of Process Technology, a business within Honeywell Technologies’ Process Automation & Technology reportable segment. He will succeed Ken West, who will leave Honeywell Technologies on August 31, 2026, to pursue an external opportunity.
At the same time, Juan Picon, currently President of Building Automation Americas, will become President and CEO of Building Automation. Both Hammoud and Picon will report to Vimal Kapur, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell Technologies.
Billal Hammoud to Lead Process Technology
Hammoud has served as President and CEO of Honeywell Building Automation since 2023. During his tenure, the business increased its annual organic growth rate from 2% in 2023 to 8% in 2025, according to Honeywell.
Under Hammoud's leadership, Building Automation focused on high-growth vertical markets, regional operating structures and new digital solutions, including Honeywell Forge Connected Buildings. Honeywell reported seven consecutive quarters of high-single-digit organic growth for the business, together with improved margins.
Before joining Building Automation leadership, Hammoud served as President and General Manager of Smart Energy and Thermal Solutions within Honeywell's former Performance Materials and Technologies organization. His previous roles included leadership positions in Thermal Solutions and Combustion Controls.
Hammoud also held leadership positions at ESAB before joining Honeywell. He holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University.
His experience across industrial technology, energy management, electrification, thermal solutions and business operations will now be applied to Honeywell's Process Technology business.
Juan Picon Appointed President and CEO of Building Automation
Juan Picon will take over as President and CEO of Building Automation on October 1, 2026.
Picon returned to Honeywell in 2024 as President of the Fire and Life Safety business and later expanded his responsibilities within Building Automation. In his current role as President of Building Automation Americas, he has focused on strengthening regional customer relationships and expanding the business in high-growth markets.
Honeywell said Picon recently helped establish a regional organizational structure in the Americas and supported the company's focus on vertical markets such as healthcare, hospitality and data centers. He has also promoted the adoption of Honeywell Forge connected building solutions.
Before returning to Honeywell in 2024, Picon held executive positions at Sensata Technologies, Wesco Distribution and General Cable.
Picon previously spent more than 18 years at Honeywell, holding leadership positions across several business areas, including automation and controls. In 2025, he received Honeywell's Chairman's Award, the company's highest recognition for outstanding employee performance.
Picon holds an MBA from Arizona State University, a master's degree in European Union Law from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, a business diploma from the Centro de Estudios de Comercio in Madrid, and a law degree from Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Implications for Industrial Automation
The leadership transition is relevant to the industrial automation industry because Process Technology is part of Honeywell's broader Process Automation & Technology business.
Honeywell's process automation portfolio serves industries that rely on process control, distributed control systems (DCS), safety systems, industrial control, measurement and digital technologies. These technologies are used across applications where reliable control, operational visibility and plant safety are critical.
The appointment of Hammoud does not, by itself, indicate an immediate change to Honeywell's existing automation products, product lifecycle policies or customer support programs. The announcement is primarily a leadership and organizational update.
For users of Honeywell industrial automation equipment, system integrators and automation equipment suppliers, future developments will be worth monitoring as the company continues to focus on process automation, digitalization, connected industrial systems and operational efficiency.
Honeywell Continues Focus on Automation and Digitalization
The leadership changes come as Honeywell continues to develop its automation portfolio around connected technologies and digital solutions.
In process industries, Honeywell provides automation technologies covering areas such as distributed control, safety, industrial software and process optimization. Its automation portfolio includes solutions designed to connect plant operations with digital applications and improve operational performance.
Building Automation follows a similar direction, with connected building technologies focused on energy management, safety, security, building performance and digital connectivity. Honeywell Forge is part of this broader digital strategy.
The appointment of experienced internal leaders in both Process Technology and Building Automation represents a planned leadership transition across two important areas of Honeywell's automation business.
For the industrial automation market, the next stage to watch will be how the new leadership teams translate these priorities into future product development, digital initiatives and modernization strategies.
